[Koswarth]
In the command room set up for the Centena siege, I checked the map. It was filled with many notations, but they all seemed to confirm one thing: that our forces were at a disadvantage.
We had more knights, more mages, and even cannons and black spheres that the Scuderia Kingdom didn’t possess. We could even strike from the sky, a method they could never have anticipated.
Yet, despite all these advantages, I found myself lost on how to attack Centena Fortress. The meeting was in turmoil, and even if I didn’t speak, others were bickering fiercely.
Someone slammed their hand on the table holding the map, shouting loudly.
“Damn it! How are we supposed to break through those walls that even our cannons can’t breach!? We can’t even get close without being hit by those oversized crossbows! And that damn knight! I heard he chopped off a wyvern’s head in a single strike!? Fighting such monsters... I’m not having any of it!”
One of our commanders from the Yellenetta Kingdom retorted.
“We have no choice but to attack! If we get close enough to the walls, they won’t be able to fire those crossbows! The walls can’t possibly go deep into the ground; if we dig beneath them and set up black spheres, they’ll definitely collapse!”
“Even if they collapse, they’ll be repaired immediately! Didn’t you see that ridiculous siege battle!? No matter what fatal blows we land, they repair instantly! Wyverns can’t get close due to the fire magic, and three of them were taken down by those damn crossbows and that knight! Don’t even mention the earth dragons—if we try, we’ll be wiped out before we can even get close!”
Our kingdom knights proposed a way to win, but the knights from the Shelvia Alliance harshly countered. These voices reflected the current state of relations between our two kingdoms. Before we attacked Centena, everyone would have followed the Yellenetta Kingdom’s commander without question. But after suffering heavy counterattacks, the Shelvia Alliance now spoke to us as equals.
And this wasn’t just a matter for lower-ranking officers.
“...Koswarth-dono. I regret to inform you, but the Shelvia Alliance will be temporarily retreating. We will move to the fortress city of Opel. From there, we should be able to conduct a defense more favorable to us.”
“Are you mad...!? Retreating means the end! Not just for Yellenetta Kingdom, but for Shelvia as well!”
I responded firmly to Towncar’s declaration of retreat. He showed a hint of frustration as he spoke again, his voice low but sharp.
“Koswarth-dono, you must choose your words carefully. This is the reality of our situation.”
Towncar’s words were laced with unspoken weight, too direct to be subtle. In response, I gave a mocking laugh, deliberately making light of it.
“Hah-hah-hah...! Does that mean, depending on the situation, you’re suggesting we could offer the heads of the Yellenetta Kingdom’s knights in exchange for peace with the Scuderia Kingdom? Our main forces are still clashing with Scuderia’s main forces. Are you really making such a hasty decision? If the Shelvia Alliance sides with Scuderia, Yerineta Kingdom will wipe out Shelvia before Scuderia and absorb your lands!”
I threatened Towncar, hoping to shake his resolve. After all, Shelvia had always been weaker in terms of national power than either Yellenetta or Scuderia. Cutting ties with us wasn’t a decision that could be made lightly.
But even with that threat, Towncar didn’t budge. With a stern expression, he carefully chose his next words.
“…So, you’re saying you have a plan to breach Centena despite all this? I’d like to hear it. We came here as part of an alliance. Even if that alliance is only on paper, we’re not yet fully under Yellenetta's command. If we find your plan to be reckless, we reserve the right to refuse to follow it.”
“If you choose that option, will you still be willing to face the consequences of being wiped out by Yellenetta's hands before Scuderia does?”
I challenged him further, and Towncar nodded silently without breaking eye contact.
At that moment, a messenger rushed into the command room.
“What’s going on!?”
A knight from the Shelvia Alliance shouted angrily at the messenger as he entered. The messenger, his face tense, quickly replied.
“There’s movement at Centena! I know this sounds unbelievable, but in just one day, Centena’s structure has changed! Our scouts report that it’s still undergoing major changes!”
“...Is it the application of that fortification technique? It can’t just be an appearance change. Is there anything else to report?”
I asked the messenger, feeling a little irritated at his vague report. The messenger took a deep breath, then answered with a serious expression.
“...The scouts are extremely confused. It’s like the fortress is changing its shape, continuously evolving like a living thing...! Currently, it’s become round, but we can’t be sure if it will change more, so it's difficult to grasp its current state!”
At the new report, everyone in the room began murmuring, voices rising.
“A round shape? I’ve never heard of a fortress like that.”
“Wait, with that shape, won’t the upper walls be narrower? Could it be that the number of those terrifying crossbows has decreased?”
“Don’t be rash! What if that wall is just a decoy? We could be hit with a concentrated attack once we get close!”
“That’s just a gamble. The real problem is that our cannons might be destroyed before we even get close. Don’t forget that!”
As everyone began speaking at once, the discussion spiraled further into chaos. Clearly, the uncertainty about the Scuderia Kingdom’s next move was causing everyone to panic.
“Calm down! Their goal has been consistent: to defend Centena! First, we need to calmly devise a strategy to break through! We don’t have to fight head-on!”
Realizing the debate was descending into confusion, I raised my voice. Just then, another messenger ran into the command room.
“What now!? Has Centena changed again!? Is it a cube now? Or a cylinder?”
I mocked, irritation evident in my tone. The messenger shook his head vigorously and spoke in a tone of urgency.
“No! It’s... cavalry! About five hundred! Two thousand knights! Ten large wagons! A total of about 2,500 men are marching toward us!”
At that report, everyone froze, like statues.
“…What? What is that supposed to mean?”
“W-What does that even mean? It sounds like they’ve come at us with a small force, attacking head-on…”
Only after hearing these words did I start to comprehend what was happening.
“Calm down! Regardless of anything else, the enemy has discarded their shield and chosen direct combat! This is an opportunity we can’t miss!”
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